The Audit and Standards Advisory Committee of Brent Council convened on Wednesday, 12 June 2024, to discuss various reports and updates, including the Internal Audit Annual Report, the Annual Counter Fraud Report, and the Annual Governance Statement. Key decisions were made regarding the approval of these reports and the adoption of updated governance codes.

Internal Audit Annual Report 2023-24

The committee reviewed the Internal Audit Annual Report 2023-24, which summarised the internal audit activities conducted over the past year. The report highlighted significant findings and provided an overall assurance rating for the council's control environment. The committee approved the report, noting the importance of continuous improvement in internal controls.

Annual Counter Fraud Report 2023-24

The Annual Counter Fraud Report 2023-24 was presented, detailing the council's efforts to combat fraud over the past year. The report included statistics on detected fraud cases, the financial impact of fraud, and the effectiveness of the council's counter-fraud strategies. The committee approved the report and emphasised the need for ongoing vigilance and robust fraud prevention measures.

Annual Governance Statement 2023-24

The committee discussed the Annual Governance Statement 2023-24, which outlined the council's governance framework and assessed its effectiveness. The statement included an action plan for addressing any identified governance issues. The committee approved the statement and the accompanying Local Code of Corporate Governance, which had been updated to reflect best practices.

Standards Report Including Gifts and Hospitality

The Standards Report was reviewed, which included a summary of gifts and hospitality received by council members and officers. The report aimed to ensure transparency and adherence to ethical standards. The committee noted the report and reiterated the importance of maintaining high standards of conduct.

External Audit Progress and Sector Update

An update on the progress of external audits and sector developments was provided in the External Audit Progress and Sector Update June 2024. The committee discussed the implications of recent changes in audit regulations and standards, and how these might affect the council's audit processes. The update was noted without requiring any immediate action.

Forward Plan Work Programme 2024-25

The committee reviewed and approved the 2024-25 ASAC Forward Plan Work Programme, which outlined the schedule of reports and activities for the upcoming year. The plan aims to ensure that the committee continues to address key audit and standards issues in a timely and effective manner.